Christmas Knits

Hello. I hope you all had a good one. I thought I would share with you a few festive photos.

The Tree - note the knitted angel at the top - made about 4 years ago. The cake, finally decorated. How we are going to eat this much Christmas Cake I don't know. And finally some presents:

The Cosy Tank Top from "And So to Bed" by Lucinda Guy.

Started: End of Nov
Finished: Mid Dec

Yarn: Rowan RYC Cashsoft DK in 501 (Sweet) and 516 (Sage)
Comments: I absolutely loved making this, and I hope Carys enjoys wearing it as much. I reckon it is my favourite knit so far! I found some cool jeans with pink and green flowers on to match. The wool is gorgeous to knit with, the pattern is ridiculously easy, but it looks really cool. Unfortunately the picture doesn't really show the stitch pattern too well - the link above shows it a little better.

I gave in, and made some scarves for my friends. I think scarves are a bit of a cop-out present, but they seem to be enjoyed. Here is Lauren's, in GGH Nevada

Finally for today I will let you peak at one of the final Chrismas presents, it should be with the recepient tomorrow.
Pattern: Kai Sweater from Louisa Harding's Natural Knits for Babies and Mum's
Started: 24th December
Finished: 27th December
Yarn: GGH Samoa in a lime green colour (from the Get Knitted summer sale) - 3 balls.
Comments: Another favourite I think. I love the colour, and it is a bonus that it is something NOT BLUE for a boy. It might be a little bit big for Toby, but I made the 12 month size as he is quite big for just over 6 months. I did make the sleeves a little shorter than in the pattern, as I always find sleeves ridiculously long on babies clothes. This was so quick to make - that's the aran weight cotton I guess. After all of the socks, it seemed like a miracle it was finished so quickly!
I need to take a picture of Tony's finished Christmas socks... they are in the wash at the moment. I also have one last Christmas Knit to finish - the cardigan from the front of the EMU baby book here in the same RYC Cashsoft as the Cosy Tank Top above.

Then it is on to more projects. Here are the items on the knitting agenda, a bit ridicuous I think
1. I want to make some fingerless gloves that turn into mittens from the angora my SP sent me.
2. Finish off the odd Fair Isle Free sock
3. 30th Birthday present for Suzie (Bday 14th Jan) - not socks, maybe a cop-out scarf! Or maybe some DK socks, which will be superfast!
4. Jumper for Sam, who will be 2 on 10th Jan
5. 30th Birthday socks for James (15th February) - in Crystal Palace colours.
6. Clapotis in the burnt orange silk Kerrie dyed for my mum's birthday (10th Feb)
7. (And most important) - baby blanket for Carys' new baby brother or sister. Due 15th February. I am having a hard time deciding between the Debbie Bliss Alphabet Blanket and the Roost Blanket from the Lucinda Guy "And so to Bed" Book.

Or just making another blanket from crochet squares. What do you think?

Merry Xmas Everybody

The last few weeks have been quite manic and also horrid and stressful... moving house turned into a nightmare which involved sitting on the side of the Motorway in a broken down van for hours and the rudest removal firm in the world - if you live in South London and are moving house, never, ever use ASL Removals.
However hopefully that is over now (apart from the compensation claim) and I can look forward to 10 days off work and lots of time to spend with friends and family. I've got lots of Christmas presents to blog about, but they will have to wait until they have been opened so as not to spoil any surprises! I've still got a few things to finish, including Tony's Christmas socks, but there is only about 2 inches to go, so I should make it by Monday.
Bryony sent me fab gifts for winning her blog competition; a handmade Miffy purse, some stitch markers and some yummy chocolate. They were ace... thank you! Pictures next time I promise. I may not get chance to blog again before, so, as we say in Wolverhampton, MERRY XMAS EVERYBODY

Secret Pal 9 gift and more Christmas knitting

Look what delights arrived on Saturday morning for me from my Secret Pal....Two amazingly soft balls of Louisa Harding's Kimono Angora; with a suggestion to make them into fingerless gloves. Lavender soap (which smells amazing), La Senza lip gloss, Brighton rock, and some yummy Green & Blacks chocolate with hazelnuts and raisins. All fantastically colour co-ordinated. Thank you secret pal, I love it all!
Now onto the Christmas knitting... socks for Tony in Regia Silk from Web of Wool.
I'm doing these toe up, using this pattern. As toe up is all a bit new to me I have been making Tony try these on just to make sure they fit ok, as his last socks are a bit baggy.
I have also been working away on other Christmas present, most are secrets, but I can show you this scarf for Tony's mum. I don't usually agree with novelty yarn, but this is so soft and is a great colour as it isn't too bright so seems perfect for a scarf and is a very quick knit. It is Patons Softy, knitted on 8mm needles in garter stitch. And finally, some vintage knitting patterns arrived from ebay this week. Three baby pattern books, they have some fantastic patterns in them. I love the blue cardigan on the front of the bottom book
And this matinee jacket.
There are also some hilarious patterns in there, which I will share in another post!

I think she likes it.....

Is that a smile of approval I see from little miss Hattie? Nothing else to share with I'm afraid so you'll have to do withe the cute baby photo!

And the winner is.....

Fiona! She suggested Jaywalkers, Tony agreed. Can THIS many people really be wrong?
And as J said, really they have to be stripey! (although the idea of cake on socks is very appealing!)
Fiona - email me your details to rooknitsSPAMatBADgooglemailDOTcom and let me know what you would like from either Lorna's Laces or Posh Yarns
In the knitting this week there has been an ickle pair of socks for baby Toby and I've started on Tony's Christmas socks. I decided to do toe up socks for a change, so spent last night learning how to do short row toes using this pattern. I did my measuring, but it was still too big, so I might have to rip it out and start again! Booooo. But it will be good car knitting for our trip down to Surrey tomorrow.

Stockings and gowns

The Christmas Stocking for Carys is finished:Pattern: My own standard top down sock pattern, with a bit of Fair Isle and Intarsia thrown in. The people and reindeer charts came from an issue of Simply Knitting, the snowflake was my design!
Yarn: Odds and ends from the stash.
Started: 9th November
Finished: 19th November
Comments: This was really fun! I am proud of my snowflake fair isle, which is far far better than the people or the reindeers. The heel looks a bit big, but I don't care! I don't think it will block either, but it is a Christmas Stocking so I figure it doesn't matter!

Now for the gowns. Check out the lucious long hair (ok, wig then)
Not the best photo in the world, but you get the idea. A great evening of fun and merrymaking was had by all!
The next day, the 30th birthday sock brigade got together for a photoshoot!

Birthday Socks (Post 100!)

Hello, welcome to my 100th blog post.
Here are the latest 30th Birthday Socks. A present for Rachel, who is 30 today. Pattern : Posh Yarns called "Slip Up Socks"
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in "Purple Club"
Started: 27th October
Finished: 14th November
The pattern is great and really easy to memorise. It looks great on, but a bit rubbish when you are knitting it as the ribbing pulls it in lots. I love the feel of the Lorna's Laces, Tony had his LL socks on the other day and they are so so soft after a couple of washes. I must make myself some soon! These were another triumph in the commuter knitting stakes, knitted completely on the bus and train between Wolverhampton and Birmingham.

In order to celebrate my 100th post and the fact it is exactly 6 months until MY 30th birthday I think I should run my own little competition...
Leave me a comment to tell me kind of socks I should make MYSELF for my 30th birthday out of the Lorna's Laces in Watercolour I bought from Get Knitted at the NEC (second from left). It can be something I have made before or something new. I just want the best possible pattern for the yarn.
Prize will be in keeping with the theme - some Lorna's Laces or Posh Yarns Lucia sock yarn in a colour of your choice! I will let Tony pick the one he likes best at 8pm GMT on Thursday 23rd November. GOOD LUCK!
I will leave you all thinking whilst I go and wrap presents and make chocolate cake and prepare for our medieval banquet at Coombe Abbey this evening.

Blankets and Christmas

The sun came out on Sunday and I finally got to take a picture of the finished blanket for baby Hattie. Here it is in it's full glory.

Pattern: Made from 2 different squares from 200 Crochet Blocks with a single and double crochet border.
Yarn: Jaeger Aqua Cotton in 316 - Ruby, 331 Marigold, 330 Daffodil,303 Herb, 317 Blue agate and Comfrey (which is discontinued)
Started: Mid September 2006
Finished: 10th November 2006.
I'm packing this up to send off tonight. The cotton isn't anywhere near as soft as the Baby Cashmerino that I used for this blanket, but I think it works really well with the crochet squares and the colours are bright and rainbow like, just as I wanted them to be. Fingers crossed it is a success. Now I have 3 months until the next baby is due, I should get cracking really!
Instead I have been making this:
A Christmas stocking for little Carys. I decided it would be a good time to practise some fair isle. I got in a big tangly mess to start with but have it a little bit more sussed now. The snowflakes at the top where my deisgn and I am shocked at how well they came out, but the people and reindeers came from a chart in Simply Knitting. Not long to go now before the heel, must remember to give the reindeers feet first. AND it is all using oddments from my stash. How cool is that?
Whilst I was making the stocking, my Christmas Cake was baking. The tried and tested Irish Whiskey Cake... I'll decorated with glace fruits and nuts just before Christmas. Yum

A Meme

I have been to the pub. I can't be bothered to take photos of the (nearly) finished blanket or (halfway) finished birthday socks tonight, so you will have to deal with my babbling instead!

Spotted this over at Spitting Yarn:
1. Flip to page 18, paragraph 4 in the book closest to you right now, what does it say?
"But there were lots of important things. It was important to look calm and confident, it was important to keep your mind clear, it was important not to show how pants-wettingly scared you were......" from Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett.
2. If you stretch out your left arm - as far as possible, what are you touching?
An exercise bike. Not mine I hasten to add.
3. What’s the last program you watched on tv?
The news on Monday I think...
4. Without looking, guess what time it is.
Time for bed, about 11pm maybe - it is 22.50
5. Except the computer, what can you hear right now?
Nothing
6. When was the last time you were outside and what did you do?
About an hour ago, walked from the pub to the train and then from the train to a taxi and from a taxi to my house.
7. What are you wearing?
My pj's - well it is bed time!
8. Did you dream last night? If you did, what about?
Not last night. On Monday I had a very weird dream. One of those realistic ones where you think it is true. I dreamed that my best friend had a child when she was travelling in Australia and had sent it to live with her parents who had raised him. He was 5 and my best friend was cross I had never knitted him anything and never acknowledged his existence. I checked with Lauren, and it is complete fabrication. There is no child and she is not cross with me. Phew.
9. When was the last time you laughed?
In the pub tonight, at something not very memorable.
10. What’s on the walls, in the room you’re in right now?
Wallpaper. Nothing else.
11. Have you seen anything strange lately?
A small cat in the pub tonight. I don't think the pub is a place for kittens. A man in the car this morning who had the biggest perm in the world. I think it was a wig.
12. What do you think about this meme?
It is passing the time and giving me something to blog about that doesn't require photos.
13. What’s the last film you saw?
Harry Potter (3) on DVD at the weekend.
14. If you became a multimillionaire, what would you do with the money?
Buy a lovely house for me and Tony.
15. Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know.
I have the worst singing voice in the world... ok, most people know that... this is hard...
16. If you could change ONE THING in this world, without regarding politics or bad guilt - what would it be?
Oooh, another hard one. How about making sure everyone had something to smile about at least once a day.
17. Do you like dancing?
Yes, but I wish I had rhythm like my friends Kerry or Suzie
18. George Bush?
tit
19. What do you want your children’s names to be, girl/boy?
Tom or William for a boy. I like Charlotte for a girl.... Tony isn't so keen. It is hard to think of names that go with Huskisson.
20. Would you ever consider living abroad?
No. I would miss my friends/family too much.
21. What do you want God to tell you, when you come to heaven?
Don't really believe in all that.
22. Who should do this meme?
Anyone who needs something to blog about and can't be bothered with pictures!

Meet Warren

Warren is the "The Scary Halloween Pumkin"
The darker it gets the scarier he gets.I've never had a pumpkin before. My lovely TT bought this one for me and carved it to my design on Sunday whilst I made Christmas Pudding and pickled some onions. Domestic Bliss.
The blanket is crocheted together, just the border to do now, which is where I am off to.

Another 30th Birthday sock.

In the land of sock knitting this week we have the start of the first of the Slip Up Socks for Tony's sisters 30th birthday in mid-November. It is in Lorna's Laces Purple Club, which Tony chose from my ridiculously large sock yarn stash. The ribbing makes it really stretchy, but quite hard to photograph. I'm not that convinced I like it, I think it is because you see so much of the purl side. I've just started on the heel, which I like a lot more, being stocking stitch. I'm sure it will be fine.

I'm dead - but I have great presents

Sockwars is over for me. I was killed yesterday by a pair of brown woolly socks...
To compensate for my death, I can home to two other parcels. One for my SP9, which completes the package I am sending out today and the other from my Sockret Pal. Look at all of the FANTASTIC things she sent me....

The Yarn Harlot book (I read the first 2 chapters last night and annoyed Tony by laughing to myself in a "London tube reading" type way.) TWO Crunchies - they are still with us, but probably won't be by the end of the weekend. A Knitpicks 2mm needle - this means I can learn magic loop and finish off the other argyle sock at the same time!! Lastly, the wool..... this gorgeously soft sockwool in pink/lilac/yellow from Lavendersheep on Etsy
This is definately destined to be some socks for me, maybe even some Jaywalkers, as it seems perfect for them, but maybe I should be a little more adventurous! Thank you Sockretly! They are absolutely fantastic presents. I feel like I should be able to work out who you are, but I am confused, half of the presents look like they have come from the US, but the package came from the UK - I am intrigued!

Roo Returns

Not quite sure how it has managed to be 2 weeks between posts.... life has obviously taken over! I've had two lovely weekends away with friends in Surrey and Hampshire. There has been some time for knitting... Odessa is finished and ready to send to Kerry's mum.
Pattern - Odessa from Magknits. Modifications - possibly made it a tiny bit shorter than the pattern suggested as it is for a small head. If I was knitting this for anyone but myself or Kerry's mum I would definately have made it bigger and added more ribbing as it is very small!
Yarn - Rowan Calmer I bought in the sale in Beatties in Wolverhampton, for about £2 a ball. I used less than one ball. It is a fantasic wool to use for hats as it is a bit stretchy and so so soft. Beads are from Nostalgia (I bought at the NEC show and can't find the website for at the moment)
Started Mid September. Finished 21st October. But probably only about 3 hours knitting!

The blanket progress.... yes, I've decided on another layout (after spending about 2 hours laying out the squares in lots of different ways). 7 more squares to add (3 are done but not photographed) and then the border to add. It will be a 5x5 square when finished.
And the sockwars socks - part 2. These were sent last Friday back to the USA. It seems my socks of doom are also on their way from my assassin. She emailed me to tell me she read the pattern incorrectly - so I am intrigued to see what they look like!
A very quick update for everyone. There might be more this evening....

4 parcels and a new baby

Well it seems that Harriet Rebecca could not wait until her blanket was finished to make her entrance into the world. Hattie Bea was born on Tuesday, 3 weeks early, and only 1/2 of her blanket is finished. So I made her some socks to keep her toes warm until it is finished. I hope they fit, they seem so tiny, but then I guess she will be too! (Mum and baby all doing well btw)

So that's the baby, what about the parcels? I got back from Manchester today to find:
1. Unfinished socks from my Sockwars target's target's target's target's target (BoyforPele13) today. I must say, for a beginner her has done a sterling job. They are so soft and lovely. I hope I end up with such fab socks! I hope to finish these this weekend and send them off to the next target (who is also furiously knitting). 2. These fantastic pouches I bought from Ysolda. One for me and one for my secret pal 9 (when I eventually figure out who she is, as it is all a bit of a mix up at the moment). I am having great trouble deciding which to give away. I put the sock wool and needles into the purple one earlier... but not the gray and peppermint one matches the sock wars socks so much better! What is a girl to do? Thanks for the extra something too :0)
3. Some heavy plastic bead stuffing for making more Chrismas gnomes like this one
4. A book for my Sockret Pal. It is "And So to Bed" by Lucinda Guy. Now I've looked through it I want it. Lots of great things, I hope she will like it.
That's it from me for the week, off to London for the weekend, visiting friends and working there on Monday and Tuesday. Have a good one!

Secret Pal 9 Questionnaire

Hello Stalking Secret Pal, here are the answers you have been waiting for

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Anything natural is fine by me. I can only cope with squeaky acrylics in very small quantities when making toys. I am loving knitting with all the really soft cashmere/wool blends out there at the moment. Yummy.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

Tony Tiger, my lovely bf, made me this for my birthday! Other needles are in my project bag/vase/lost. I need to think of a good way of storing my sock dpns and my circular needles.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I learnt when I was about 10 or so, knitted loads of soft toys in my early teens and then knit on and off for about the next 10 or so years, not really making it my hobby. I reckon I've been knitting solidly for about the last 2 years or so, since my friends started having babies to knit for. Probably about intermediate skill level.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Amazon is here

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)

I don't really do heavily scented things, probably lavender if I had to pick.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

Oh yes, nice chocolate. But not American chocolate. I really fancy a Crunchie at the moment.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

I crochet too, which I enjoy as a change from knitting. I like baking and gardening too but don't tend to get much time to do either! I don't spin and don't have and craving to do so at the moment.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I'm a 1990's indie girl. Stuck in the days of Blur, Ash, Pulp, The Wonderstuffetc. Recently, The Killers, Atctic Monkeys and more chilled out stuff too.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

I am addicted to stripy things. I just cannot stop buying them. My wardrobe seems to consist of a lot of brown and turquoise at the moment too, so I think that must be a favourite.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I live with my boyfriend (and have done since I moved from London at the start of August.) No pets.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

Yes to scarves, hats and mittens and only ponchos when there is nothing else to keep me warm!

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

Children's clothes, socks, accessories... things that have fairly instant satisfaction. Socks are a definite addiction.

13. What are you knitting right now?

A hat (Odessa from Magknits) for my friends mum who is having chemo. Some socks/mittens and a hat for a new arrival. I am also crocheting a baby blanket.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Oh yes

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

I love the wooden needles TT bought me (pictured above). Also love my addi turbos and my brittany birch short dpns for sock knitting. Don't like straights for big things as I find they get to heavy.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

I have a yarn winder. I am hoping I might get a home made swift as a present from TT one day.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

Probably from June, the odd sock I knit in Amsterdam for me.... there has always been present knitting that has got in the way of starting the other.

18. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas. The presents and the time off work!

19. Is there anything that you collect?

TT would tell you I collect wool. Lots of it.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

I would love to try Koigu or Socks that Rock or the new Colinette Sock wool that I hear is coming soon. I would love any of the soft washable Cashmere/Wool mixes out there to make baby/toddler clothes from such as the DB Cashmerino or RYC Cashsoft etc.
I have a subscription to Simply Knitting and the new Yarn Forward magazine.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

I think I am going to try and make some childrens jumpers using fair isle. I love the beaded fair isle pattern in Debbie Bliss' Baby Knits.

22. Are you a sock knitter?

Oh yes!

What are your foot measurements?

UK Size 6-7. I can give you more specific measurements if you want them.

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)

May 18th

1. Where is your favorite knitting spot?

In a cottage, with a roaring fire, when it is raining outside! But I spend most of my knitting time on a bus/train.

2. If you suddenly could never knit again (shudder) - what would you do instead?

Crochet?

3. If you could travel anywhere in the world - where would you go and why?

Um, I would love to a road trip across the US, not sure why, I have always wanted to do it. I would also love to visit all of my friends in Australia.

4. When you were little - What did you want to do "when you grew up?" Are you doing it?

I wanted to fly planes, not doing it, and quite glad I'm not!

5. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

Chocolate. Yum.

Yet another pair of Jaywalkers

Finally I can show you the other pair of birthday socks, Kim was 30 yesterday and these made it safely through the post to Manchester!

Pattern: Jaywalkers (my 3rd pair) - with a picot edge instead of the ribbing
Yarn: Regia which I bought from Utrect. I can't find the ball band to tell you which one.
Started: 14th September
Completed: 5th October (with a break in the middle to knit the other 30th Birthday socks!)

Now it is time for something other than socks.....Here is the most recent progress picture on the baby blanket for Dan & Kate's baby (due at the end of October. I took two pictures, as I can't decide which I like best! The square with 4 smaller squares inside is set to be the middle. I'm not sure whether to mix up the colours and keep the patterns the same (as in 1) or keep the colours the same and mix up the patterns (as in 2). Whichever way. I still have at least 14 squares to go, and maybe more if I decide to make it bigger! I have discovered that I can just about fit the 5 balls into my bag for work, meaning I can crochet them on my commute!
I have also started making Odessa for my friend Kerry's mum who is having Chemo at the moment, no pictures as yet, and having realised I don't have a 4mm circular needle or any dpn's I think I might have to do a bit of web shopping in a minute!
I went to the knit n' natter group at Beatties yesterday and met a couple more people. Liz (I think) was making the most amazing top for her daughter out of the Rowan 40 magazine, it is called Glade. I was completely in awe, it looks stunning!
Off to see if I can finally make my ipod talk to Tony's computer. All I have managed to do so far is wipe off my 7000 odd songs. I am not a happy bunny.

30th Birthday Socks and Holidays

Here is the proud recipient of the second pair of 30th Birthday socks this year. They fit AND he wore them all day (probably just to humour me) but I think they were a success. Had a fantastic weekend in Dublin Lots of food and even more Guinness and virtually no knitting at all. It rained a lot, but not that you would know from this photo.... the only one that doesn't feature drunken people in a pub! It is the spire in the centre of O'Connell street in Dublin.
On the sock wars front, I think I am just about understanding what is going on.
I have killed Ketutar, who has killed Celtic Queen, who killed Smorto3, who killed Shoemouse, who has sent the socks to kill BoyforPele13 - he is on his second sock at the moment. If he dies before he has finished then I will get his socks to finish, otherwise I have to do a bit more investigation as to who is next in the chain. I wonder if/when I will get another pair to knit.... I now know what is happening with the assassin end of things too.... PhillyPa has killed La Soquette, who killed That Knitting Chick. That Knitting Chick has killed AutumnLeaves..... so that means PhillyPa must be after my assassin... Agent Thorn! Clear as mud? I thought so.

Sockret Pal Questionnaire

The start of another exciting exchange. I've visited the Blog of my spoilee and am already filled with ideas of what to send her. Here is my questionnaire:

The basics:
How long have you been knitting?
I started when I was about 13 or 14 and made lots of Jean Greenhowe dolls out of cheap acrylic.
I made a couple of things as presents for colleagues who were pregnant about 5 years ago, but it is really in the last couple of years (now my friends are all having children and I have a bit more time) that it has kicked off in earnest.

Do you consider yourself a beginning sock knitter, an intermediate, or have you been doing this so long you could probably knit a pair in your sleep?
My first pair of socks in February. I'm upto number 10 or 11 pairs now! So I guess intermediate - I have only knit one pair toe up, so I think I need more practice!

The measurements:
While your pal may ask for some additional info to ensure a great fit, please provide your shoe size, or any other fitting related info you think is pertinent.
UK Size 6/7.

(fiber related) Favorites:
What colors do you love?
Purples, bright colours, stripes. I'm on a bit of a brown thing with my wardrobe at the moment. There isn't really anything I don't like.
Do you prefer solids or variegated?
Self striping/variegated for plain socks and solids for lace/patterned socks
What fibers do you most love to knit with?
Anything that isn't too artificial! Wool/Cotton/silk. Anything quite soft (like lorna's laces) for socks.
I would love to try Socks that Rock or Koigu (hint hint!)
Who do you consider your favorite yarn vendors?
Ooooh, I love lorna's laces for sock yarn, the regia I have knitted with has been good too.
With regards to shops - I like people who dye their own, like HipKnits, and independent shops like Stash and Loop in London.
What projects (other than socks, of course*S*) do you most enjoy knitting?
Things that knit up quickly, or are presents. I've made some baby/toddler clothes, a baby blanket, toys, bags, and not many actual full size garments!

(fiber related) Dislikes:
What fibers can you not stand to knit with? To wear?
Acrylic for both, although socks need a bit so you can wash them!
What colors would you never wear?
Cream/yellow next to my skin (but doesn't really matter for socks)


The Tools:
Plastic or Metal? Bamboo or wood?
I have some gorgeous wooden needles my bf bought for me which are fab. Some brittany birch dpns and some metal addi turbos for my socks.
Circs or Straights?
Um, depends what I'm making.
DPNs or Magic Loop?
I have some 30cm addit turbos which mean I don't need to magic loop for socks and can knit in the round using dpns for heel and toe. I must buy some longer addi turbos and try magic looping.
Are there any knitting accessories you don't have in your collection but would like?
Some 2.5mm addi turbos (or similar - I hear knitpicks are good) so I can try the magic loop. They need to have a really good join between cable and needle as I've tried it with cheap plastic ones and it just doesn't work.

The Extras:
Do you have a wish list? If so, please share the link!
Just Amazon:

Do you like sweet, sour or salty? (or all of the above? *S*)
All of the above
Do you have any allergies your pal should know about? (Certain foods, smoke, pet hair, etc)
Nope
Favorite scents? Scents you can't stand?
Lavender is a fave, don't really like anything too perfumey.
Do you collect anything (other than yarn and knitting toys of course)?
No collections
When is your birthday? (month and day is fine!)
18th May
Do you spin? Dye your own yarn?
I have never spun, don't really have any great want to try.
I have done some Kool-Aid dying, which was fun and would like to do more.
Your favorite author/band/vacation spot, anything you think will help your pal know you better...
I'm a 1990's indie girl at heart, so I love Blur, Wonderstuff, Charlatans etc but also have a downfall when it comes to Robbie Williams and Wet Wet Wet!!!! Vacation wise. these days I enjoy a week away from it all in a cottage in the middle of nowhere; or alternatively a mad weekend in a city I've never been to. I enjoy cooking (esp now I have someone to cook for) and gardening (I'm looking forward to tackling the jungle at the back of Tony's house).
If you want to know anything else, ask away!

The war has begun

Here is the pair of the first International Socks of Doom made by Roo@ War for Sock Wars.... These are going to my victim Ketutar (as my first victim pulled out.) Made with my own Kool-Aid dyed anti tickle merino from Texere. They will be in the post to Sweden tomorrow. This should hopefully give me enough time to finish the second one of these in time for our trip to Dublin this weekend. It is the start of the 30th Birthday season. I have 3 in the next 10 days! Madness.

Secret Pal 8 Parcel

I arrived home this evening to find this waiting for me .... my final parcel from my Secret Pal Barb. Thanks for all of the goodies: Creative Knitting Magazine, a novel about someone who owns a yarn store, 3 balls of Bernat cotton, a notebook, lip balm (and crocheted holder), a doiley, bath bubbles and another crochet thing that matches my dishclothes but I can't exactly work out what it is!
In the world of more presents, here are the socks I am making for Bodge and Kim's 30th Birthdays on 2nd and 7th October respectively. I started with Kim's first, the finished Jaywalker you seen on the left, and then panicked that I wouldn't have time to do Bodger's before his birthday so started on his instead of making a pair! They are both done in the Regia yarn I bought in Utrecht. I am loving the stripes on the Ribbed sock on the right. Tony is a bit jealous I think... In non-sock world, here is the progress on the blanket for the baby due at the end of October.
And finally in non-knitting world here are the Tigerella tomatoes that Tony (Tiger) has been growing (sorry Jo!)

Stash

I made a trip to the Knitting and Stitching show at the NEC yesterday. I was a little disappointed really, only Hipknits, Get Knitted and Web of Wool had anything remotely interesting. I think I will have to go to Olympia next year.
After that I thought I would call into the Knit and Natter session in Beatties in Wolverhampton. Had a lovely hour with Annette and Rose. Thanks for making me so welcome. I will definitely come again when I have a spare Saturday afternoon. Beatties also have loads of Rowan with 70% off. It is all current stock, but stuff they are not meant to have anymore so it is messing up the stock takes apparently! Excellent!
This is the bounty that came from my little knitting trip yesterday:

From L-R
Hipknits Aran Silk (Brown) - for another Garden scarf
Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock - Watercolour - from Get Knitted- to make socks for me to match my scarf!
Some more Hipknits Aran silk in Yellow/Blue/Brown for a Christmas present scarf
Two balls of Rowan Calmer in red a bargain at £1.80 a ball from Beatties in Wolverhampton. Destined to be Odessa for my friends mum who is going through Chemo at the moment.
Four balls of Rowan Handknit Cotton; another bargain at 90p a ball from Beatties in Wolverhampton. Destined to be a pink and red stripy jumper for my friends little girl for Christmas.
Two balls of Regia Silk in Brown/grey from Web of Wool - Christmas socks for Tony.
One ball of Cotton Glace, again from the sale in Beatties - £1.14 destined to be the digger on the front of this jumper

The other exciting news is I have had an offer on my flat for the full asking price! Tony and I have also been having discussions about future plans - and I think we have decided to try and look for something to buy together, rather than me buying on my own and then selling up in a year or two. It will be a big project i.e. like a falling down barn or a piece of land. This means I will be staying here in Tony's house for quite a lot longer than I'd originally thought; but that's ok, we haven't killed each other yet. I am trying to be tidy and Tony is learning how to compromise! With that said, I'm off to mop the kitchen floor and then cycle over to his sisters to steal some apples to make a pie later. Such a life of Domestic Bliss!

Finished Items!

I have been doing something other than moaning in the last week......
My Garden scarf is done. It is fab. The colours are excellent (thanks Lizzy) and I definately NEED some socks knitted in this colourway. I wonder if there will be any Lorna's Laces at NEC? Hmmmm..
Pattern: Garden Scarf from "The Happy Hooker"
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Bullfrog and Butterflies in Waterfall (One Skein) from my OSP Lizzy
Started: 6th September 2006
Finished: 10th September 2006 (in truth it took a return train journey from Wolves to London to complete)

Here is a close up: The latest pair of commuting socks:

Pattern: Based on the one that comes free when you buy yarn from Get Knitted. Cast on 60 sts on 2.5mm needles modified to add a slip stitch heel. Basic, boring socks.
Yarn: Lana Grossa Fantasy (I think)
Started: Mid August 2006
Finished: 13th September 2006

They don't match, I don't care. I have some more "weekend" socks. Horay!

I have stolen the picture below from Glenda as I forgot to take one before the Secret Pal Socks winged their way to her. She has been my spoilee for the past few months for Secret Pal 8.
Pattern: Um, a bit made up based off the ribbed socks I made for Tony and Non but with DK (48st)
Yarn: King Cole Merino "Anti Tickle" from Texere DK dyed with Kool Aid
Started: 26th August 2006
Finished: 2nd September 2006

Turns out these were perfect training for Sockwars. I've got some more Kool-Aid Dyed King Cole that I am going to use and bought some Brittany Birch DPNs from Gerald at I Knit London on Sat (Fab shop btw - loads of Collinette and Artesano Alpaca and other British yarns AND it is open late AND has a massive comfy sofa)

The socks for Toby also got finished, the second looked much the same as the first here.
They have been received, I'm yet to hear if they fit or not!

I've completed a couple more blanket squares too. I'll take another picture when I've got a few to show.

What else? Oh yes, I received my second package from my SP8. Haven't gotten around to taking any pictures yet.... but it contains some more dishcloths; a baby afghan pattern book and a little puzzle book. Thanks Secret Pal; who I have found out to be Serrano from Knitty and also these socks: Cablenet and Dimante

In other news, I'm looking forward to my trip to the Knitting and Stitching Show this weekend. I think I'm going to go on Saturday. I might make it back in time for the Knit n' Natter in Beatties too.
However I am most excited about going to see Robbie Williams in Milton Keynes tomorrow. Please pray that it doesn't rain!